We have a 9 year old mini who has been having problems for quite a few years now. And I'm not sure if it is a stifle problem. One vet said yes, both are "loose". He can trot fine but when asked to canter he loses his outside leg, has to go back to trot, and then can pick up the canter. By loses, it looks like it just stiffens up at the hip and cannot straighten. He does this both ways of the ring, always the outside hind leg, when free lunged in our 60-100 ring. I have also noted a click when he trots now (off and on). A massage therapist was here for another horse so I had her look at him also. She said his problem was that his one hip was higher than the other. Really? Exercise is good for stifle problems - yes? Problem with our two minis is that they are insulin resistant (how did I get so lucky to have both develop this?) and have foundered. So they are on dry lot, no grass, and their "area" is small. They both get thyrol (their thyroid levels were very low), quiessence, and NO grain. And I try to find not-the-best hay around hoping to keep the carbs down. Anyways, can the stifle problem be bilateral and should I ask him to exercise even when his legs are locking up?
We do not have any local vets that are knowledgeable about minis like this forum is; so hoping you can give advice.
Kit
We do not have any local vets that are knowledgeable about minis like this forum is; so hoping you can give advice.
Kit